Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has heaped praise on Diego Costa after the striker scored the only goal of the game in his side's win over Middlesbrough this afternoon.
Costa was a doubt heading into the match having withdrawn from the Spain squad due to a groin problem, but that didn't prevent him from netting his 10th goal of the season to make it six wins in a row without conceding for Chelsea.
The striker is the first player to reach 10 Premier League goals this term, and Conte talked up the importance of the Brazilian-born Spain international.
"Diego is playing good football, with and without the ball. And Pedro and Eden [Hazard], they are very important for our balance. They are working very hard for the team," he told Sky Sports News.
"Diego is always in the action, he is a fantastic striker and is showing this."
The victory leaves Chelsea top of the table, one point clear of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Barney Corkhill
